More Police, Bridge Closure Coming to Old 30 Project
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
Those driving along Old 30/Lake Street in Warsaw where the current roundabout project is taking place, expect to see more police presence.
Citing a concern for workers on the project as well as property owners in the area, County Administrator Ron Robinson asked for more patrols by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.
“It’s become a fairly major situation,” said Joe Fragomeni, engineer with Structure Point. “Seems to be a lot of people who want to fight through the site.”
Structure Point is a consulting firm working with the commissioners on the project.
Sheriff Rocky Goshert told the county commissioners this morning that his department would take care of it.
Robinson said the busiest and most dangerous times are around 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Robinson said that currently, drivers are making pathways through private property to avoid the one-lane traffic going each way along Old 30.
Robinson also announced the Walnut Creek bridge along Old 30 will be closed for 30 days starting Sept. 6.
While the bridge will reopen in October, the entire project is scheduled to run through Nov. 2.
Robinson said several business and property owners have expressed concern with drivers using their property to avoid the construction zone.
During this morning’s commissioners meeting, two lease agreements between businesses and the county were approved. Those are for the properties where Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Creative Benefit Solutions are on Lake Street in Warsaw.
The commissioners also approved Robinson to spend up to but not exceeding $25,000 to refurbish the property at 205 N. Lake St.
County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden told the commissioners that his crews have 91 miles of road in the county sealed.
Tilden also informed the commissioners that his department received a new asphalt distributor last week.
The commissioners approved a vacation of an undeveloped cul-de-sac at Blueberry Island fourth addition located on the south side of Dewart Lake.
Attorney Steve Snyder represented the petitioner and said the hope was that once the vacation was approved, the Department of Natural Resources would be petitioned to widen a ditch on the property to provide a channel to Dewart Lake.
